Paul Lambert insists his Aston Villa players will love working with Roy Keane

The Irish hardman has been brought in as Lambert's right hand man following the departures of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa.

The pair left towards the end of last season amid allegations of bullying.

But now Lambert reckons he has got just the man to lift his men.

“I'm really looking forward to working with him and I'm delighted that he's here”

Paul Lambert

Ex-Sunderland and Ipswich boss Keane will combine his new role with his existing job as Republic of Ireland assistant.

"Roy has a great knowledge of football, on the coaching side as well, and he'll be a great asset and a big help to everybody here at Aston Villa," said Lambert.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him and I'm delighted that he's here.

"As a player, he was one of the most accomplished in the history of the Barclays Premier League and he's brought that experience gained over many years into his career in coaching and management. The players will love working with him.

"Although we never played together, we competed against one another and he's someone for whom I have a lot of time and respect.

"He has worked under some great managers, some of the most successful in the game, and he'll be a great help to myself as well.

"Roy brought Sunderland up out of the Championship and into the Premier League, he gained further experience at Ipswich - where we were close rivals while I was manager at Norwich - and he's now working at international level as assistant manager with the Republic of Ireland."

Keane said: "I am delighted to be joining Aston Villa and I look forward to what promises to be an exciting challenge.

"I am grateful to both Villa and the Football Association of Ireland for making this happen and I would like also to thank Martin O'Neill.

"I am relishing the prospect of linking up with Paul Lambert and combining both roles to the full advantage of both Villa and Ireland".